As I alluded to at the beginning of this blog, today is a day that stops the nation, but one that divides the nation too. I’m not sure what impact the death of The Cliffsofmoher will have on the way people feel about the Melbourne Cup, but the response to the four-year-old’s death is a sure reminder that the entire day does not sit comfortably with a large swathe of the population.

Anyway, with that I will leave you. Regardless of how you feel about these issues, I hope you enjoyed your day. We’ll see you next time.

Race nine winner: Teleplay

My colleague Mike Hytner has filed his report on the death of The Cliffsofmoher.

The running of the Melbourne Cup has again been marred after one of the 2018 entries in the race, The Cliffsofmoher, was euthanised at Flemington Racecourse – the sixth horse to suffer that fate since 2013.

The Irish stallion, trained by Aiden O’Brien for Lloyd Williams, pulled up inside the first 600m after suffering a fractured shoulder. He was unable to be saved and was put down at the track.

Read Mike’s full story below.

The CliffsofMoher put down after suffering fractured shoulder in Melbourne Cup

Jamie Stier, Racing Victoria’s manager of integrity services, said the horse had received immediate veterinary care on the track but it was unable to be saved owing to the nature of the injury.

The CliffsofMoher is assisted by a race steward. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

“This was an unfortunate incident that happens infrequently, with Victoria having one of the best safety records in world racing,” Stier added.

“Our sympathies are extended to Coolmore and the Williams family, the owners of The Cliffsofmoher, jockey Ryan Moore, trainer Aidan O’Brien and his staff who cared for the horse and are greatly saddened by their loss.”

He’s the latest in a long line of dead horses. The Cliffsofmoher was spotted looking very agitated moments before the start and has now been killed after fracturing his right shoulder in the Melbourne Cup. Before they’ve even finished maturing, these 500kg animals race at breakneck speeds while being whipped and pushed past their limits, supported on ankles as small as those of humans.

Horses on the first lap in race seven. Photograph: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Of course, horses die at lower-profile racing events all the time: During the last racing year 119 were pronounced dead on Australian tracks between August 2017 and July 2018 – that’s one animal every three days. They die of cardiac arrest, haemorrhaging, ruptured aortas, and broken necks, legs or pelvises, and that’s without mentioning the thousands of horses bred for the industry who don’t make the grade and are abandoned, neglected or sent to slaughter.

Considering Australians hate cruelty to animals, commemorating a day on which horses routinely die in the Melbourne Cup is fundamentally unAustralian. While public holidays give Aussies a break, horses are breaking legs.

There are still three races to go. Race eight is about to get under way. By the look of the TV coverage at least, the brief moments of sunshine that emerged moments before the Cup have given way to more gloomy, grey clouds. Perhaps that’s fitting, given what has just happened.

Jockey Aiden O’Brien on The CliffsofMoher is assisted by a race steward after the horse was injured during race 7. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

RSPCA Australia (@RSPCA)

The Cliffsofmoher becomes the 6th horse to die as a result of the #melbournecup since 2013. Highlights the very real risks to horses from racing.

I've never been on the grounds when a horse died before. It's weird. You can't tell. No one reacts. There are no announcements. You can't see the track, or the race, really. No one says anything. It's as if no one cares. #CallaCup

While we’re in a reflective mood, can I just point you to a feature story Calla wrote recently. Calla went to the sale yards in Echuca, where ex-horse races meet their fate. It’s a heartbreaking tale, beautifully told. Read it here.

Also, here’s another one from the archives. In 2011 Chris Cook spoke to senior vets to explain why a broken leg usually always means the end for a horse. Read that piece here.

And here’s a photo of The Cliffsofmoher from earlier in the day.

Herald Sun (@theheraldsun)

The CliffsofMoher has been euthanised after suffering a shocking injury during the #MelbourneCup

As the Cup presentation begins, Joseph O’Brien, the son of The Cliffsofmoher’s trainer Aidan, has told the Herald Sun that the horse is being treated by vets but it doesn’t “look good”.

The Cliffsofmoher is seen after trackwork at Werribee Racecourse in Werribee, Melbourne, Thursday, October 18, 2018. Photograph: James Ross/AAP

I will also note that there is a bit of frustration from those watching online there has been little mention of The Cliffsofmoher’s situation post-race on the TV broadcast.

On the podium, Cross Counter’s trainer, Charlie Appleby, says: “It’s a day I will never forget.” He also thanks and congratulated the horse’s owner, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai, who runs the Godolphin stable.

Drunken patrons who were focused on the day’s biggest bets fall topieces. Shoes that had been taken off because it’s hard to jump ongrass in heels become lost. The lawn, churned up and littered withplastic alcohol glasses, suddenly empties of people, leaving onlycarnage behind.

People walking in the mud. Photograph: Dave Crosling/AAP

If you are the type of person who only follows the Melbourne Cup tosee pictures of people falling into bins so you can feel smug aboutnot falling into a bin: your fun is just about to begin.

It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of the moment, but as you might have heard if were watching the race, No 2 – The Cliffsofmoher – was injured as the field went past the first post. We’ll keep you updated when more news comes to hand.

RSPCA Australia (@RSPCA)

**BREAKING** Cliffsofmoher has been injured within the first 600m of the #melbournecup. We’ll update with more as soon as information becomes available.

The winner, Cross Counter, is trained by Brit Charlie Appleby. Appleby has come close to a Melbourne Cup win over the past few years. The Cup was only Cross Counter’s eight race and fifth start. It is jockey Kerrin McEvoy’s third Melbourne Cup win.

Cross Counter stormed home to win the 2018 Melbourne Cup at a sodden Flemington Racecourse to give Kerrin McEvoy a third triumph in the race that stops a nation.

With 11 of the 24 entries trained in northern hemisphere, the 158th running of the Cup was billed as the most internationally influenced yet and Cross Counter’s victory served to reinforce the rising global stature of this race.

Melbourne Cup winner: Cross Counter

A quick update on the odds before the race gets under way. Yucatan has taken favouritism, moving in to $6, with Magic Circle at $7 and Cross Counter at $10.

The crowd watching on. Photograph: Dave Crosling/AAP

A little about the favourite, a five-year-old Irish stallion, Yucatan. Its owner, Lloyd Williams, is chasing his seventh Cup win, while its renowned Irish trainer, Aidan O’Brien, is looking to break his Cup drought.

With the sun shining down on Flemington and the track improving by the minute, it’s time to get nostalgic as we wait for the main race. Remember, a whole two hours ago, when the rain was causing havoc. It caused moments like this.

The race is thirty minutes away. Bruce is starting to get excited. Today will be his final Melbourne Cup call. “The sun is out,” he says. “The crowd has come out. The jockeys have been presented. The Cup has arrived.”